DJ Mag’s ‘Best of North America’ winners are a refreshing contrast to the Top 100 poll

The annual DJ Mag Top 100 poll has been a polarizing construct in dance music for quite some time. While there are unquestionably some international markets which still recognize the list’s legitimacy, its prestige has been surpassed by its notoriety throughout much of the US and European scenes.

Over the years, the Top 100 has been criticized by many as a popularity contest which artists can manipulate through questionable campaign strategies. DJ Mag appears to have recognized with this issue with their recent introduction of the “Best of British” and “Best of North America” awards. Rather than ranking “winners” through an open, write-in platform which pits live performers, producers, and DJs against each other, the local awards presents staff-selected nominations in a variety of categories.

Today, as voting opened for the Top 100, DJ Mag announced the winners for the “Best of North America” awards. The artist portion of the results reflect a better representation of both underground DJs and artists whose skills manifest most outside of the booth. Porter Robinson deservedly was selected as “Best Live Act,” following his recent successes with Madeon on the Shelter tour and his own solo Worlds shows.

Elsewhere in the winners’ circle, club veteran Green Velvet is crowned as the continent’s “Best DJ,” while renowned dubstep producer 12th Planet takes the award for “Best Producer.” In the breakthrough categories, Lauren Lane and Eli Escobar win the titles in DJing and producing, respectively. Deep house progenitor Kerri Chandler is honored as the awards’ “Outstanding Contributor,” placing him in the company of Carl Cox, who took the equivalent title in the British awards.